Page 178 - NS-2 Textbook

APPROACHES TO LEADERSHIP 171

Good communication requires effort on the part of both the sender and the receiver. These cadets at an NJROTC field day competition are
practicing these skills during a relay race.

it is a good idea to scan the material first, to pick out Listening. The art of listening effectively is picked up
the main ideas. Next, the material should be read for through practice and hard work. Poor listeners often
details. try to place the entire burden on the speaker. There also
are persons who want only to hear themselves speak.
Writing. The second skill is to write in a way that others This is no way to build respect, or to manage people
understand. The leader must often give written orders effectively.
and instructions, so this is a very important skill. There By practicing the following rwes, anyone can become
are four important steps to be followed for effective writ- a better listener. A good listener will be a better leader.
ing. These are:
1. Get ready to listen. Do not place all the respon-
Step 1. Clarifij your purpose for writing. Be able to say sibility on the speaker. You must be alert!
'why you are writing, "\vho "'Till read it, and vlhat 2. Take the responsibility for understanding. Do some
you expect the reader to do after reading it. thinking as you listen. If you just listen to words,
Step 2. Limit the subject to material that suits your you will miss the purpose of the speech. In your
purpose as stated in Step 1. Do not waste read- mind, put the speaker's ideas into your own
ers' time with extra 11laterial. words. Repeat what you thought you heard to be
Step 3. List ideas that you want to get across to your sure. Don't go away in doubt.
reader. As you read and research your material, 3. Listen to understand, rather than to disagree. Lis-
"\Trite down ideas. You can add to or change these ten and wait; try to understand first and evaluate
ideas later. second. Emotions should not cloud the matter.
Step 4. Olganize ideas into groups. This really amounts Question only after a speech or lesson is finished.
to an outline. Main ideas are followed by impor- 4. Listen fol' the 111ail1 ideas. If you are listening to a
tant subheadings, and in tum, by supporting in- teacher or other speaker, take notes. Come to
formation. In an essay or research paper, the main classes and lectures prepared to do so. Taking
ideas can be listed wlder two or tlu'ee rnain topics. notes will make you more alert for the main ideas.
An outline ,vill help keep you on course and save Alert listening requires effort. It is still the best
you time 'when you aChtally start writing. way to get knowledge and lli1derstanding.